John Hayt Collegiate: Host UNF leads after record day

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The No. 25-ranked North Florida men's golf team sits atop the leaderboard of their home tournament, the John Hayt Collegiate Invitational, following some record setting performances Sunday on the links at Sawgrass Country Club.

The Ospreys posted a 12-under total 276 matching the tournament's record low round shot by Augusta State in 2001. UNF's strong start also marks the best first round in Hayt Invitational history.

UNF's Kevin Phelan also got in on the record setting, firing a tournament record eight-under 64. The senior linkster bested the previous record mark of 65, shot in 1999 by former Osprey standout and UNF Athletic Hall of Famer David Bennett.

Phelan leads medalist play by four shots over a group of four players including teammates senior Sean Dale and freshman Joe Stepnes, who finished the day with rounds of four-under 68. UNF sophomore also finished the opening round in red numbers shooting a two-under 70 (T-10th).

“Kevin played a great round today and that does not come easy on this course,” said UNF head coach Scott Schroeder. “Sean and MJ also helped the team out with very solid rounds. With the weather looking questionable for tomorrow's round and several really talented teams not too far behind us, we have to stay focused on the task at hand and just continue to try and play our best golf.”

Redshirt freshman Taylor Hancock posted a 74 (T-38th) and sophomore Joey Petronio finished with a 76 (T-55th) to round out the Osprey lineup. Five UNF golfers competed as individuals with Stepnes pacing that group that also included Taylor Johnson (73, T-33rd), Austin Padova (76, T-55th), Pete Kellerman (76, T-55th) and Joey Marino (78, T-69th).

UNF holds a six stroke advantage in the team competition over No. 11 Duke at 282 (-6). No. 45 UCF is third at 286 (-2) followed by No. 12 LSU (290), No. 48 Coastal Carolina (291), No. 38 Tulsa (292), UAB (292), No. 7 Florida (292), No. 14 Arkansas (293), No. 33 North Texas (293), No. 22 Tennessee (294), Jacksonville (295), Furman (301), Mercer (301) and No. 44 Ole Miss (311).

Tournament action in the Hayt Collegiate Invitational continues with second round play Monday on the par 72, 6,988-yard layout of Sawgrass CC. The Ospreys will be teamed with Duke and UCF off tee No. 1 beginning at 9:30 a.m.